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The Bureaucracy
n/a
15
Political Studies
Undergraduate 3
05/06/2013

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Term
bureaucracy
Definition
-organization or system
-3 essential parts
--hierarchy: accountability goes up, power down, strict
--worker specialization: increases efficiency to max, fair treatment
--strict & explicit rules: rule/procedure for everything
Term
US bureaucracy has a fourth part
Definition
Specialized training/doing well on test(merit) is a must to get hired
-gets rid of spoils system
Term
American Bureaucracy
Definition
-4.5 million people
-4 Categories
Term
Categories - Department Agencies
Definition
-cabinet level
-organized by subject area
Term
Categories - Independent Agencies
Definition
not part of Dept. Agencies, not very many
-CIA: more freedom, not held to same regulations as defense dept.
-NASA: don't want to be accused of militarizing space
Term
Categories - Gov't Corporations
Definition
-things too expensive or important to leave to private sector
-USPS
Term
Categories - Independent Regulatory Commissions
Definition
-set up to be largely removed from politics
-Fed. Trade Commission
-Fed. Elections Commission
-Securities & Exchange Commission
-need specialized people not partisan decisions -->use expertise to do what's right
Term
Functions
Definition
-execution of laws: bureaucratic rulemaking - agency says what rule means & enforces it
-services: Security, Economy, General Welfare
Term
What do we want?
Definition
-Some: equitable, fair for all
-Others: quickness & efficiency
-Others: fiscal responsibility, not wasteful
--ALL good, but not so easy all together
-Accountability
Term
patronage system
Definition
an approach to managing the bureaucracy whereby people are appointed to important gov't positions as a reward for political services they have rendered and because of their partisan loyalty
Term
spoils system
Definition
the practice of granting public office to individuals in return for political favors they have rendered
Term
merit system
Definition
an approach to managing the bureaucracy whereby people are appointed to gov't positions on the basis of either competitive exams or special qualifications such as professional training
Term
policy implementation
Definition
the primary function of the bureaucracy; refers to the process of carrying out the authoritative decisions of Congress, the pres & courts
Term
clientele groups
Definition
special interest groups that benefit directly form the activities of particular bureaucratic agency and therefore are strong advocates of the agency
Term
Accountability
Definition
-no one way
-President only has control over top level management
-Congress: control money, casework, oversight function
-Courts: can't get involved until someone w/standing asks them to
-media
-interest groups
-citizens - bureaucratic rulemaking hearings, request info
-all to some extent imperfect
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